Mobility limitations related to MS add to the risk for osteoporosis that occurs with the hormonal changes of mid-life. In turn, limitations associated with osteoporosis can add to those already imposed by MS. This preliminary study used a grounded theory qualitative strategy to assess the understanding among women with MS of their increased risk for osteoporosis, their knowledge about ways to reduce the risk for fracture, and their health promotion practices related to osteoporosis and fracture prevention. Twenty-seven volunteers were interviewed at home, and the open-ended interviews were transcribed and content analyzed. Validation of the analysis was provided by an external reviewer. In addition to the interviews, women completed a personal data form to gather demographic and illness-related information. Themes emerging from the analysis include: women's knowledge, lack of knowledge, sources of information, actions, and feelings of control. In most cases, health care providers have not discussed osteoporosis with the women, though several have experienced one or more fractures. Most of the women have acquired accurate information about risk factors, through such lay sources as magazines and television. Women who determined that they were at risk, based on information they acquired, took measures to inform their health care providers of their concern. Women varied in knowledge of osteoporosis, actions to prevent it, and belief that their own actions can enhance their long-term health. Often the women needed more specific knowledge. In regard to health behaviors related to the risk for osteoporosis and fracture, the women ranged from doing little or nothing to prevent the problem, to making changes which were in the right direction but not adequate, such as "increasing my yogurt," to addressing the issue fully and appropriately in terms of diet, calcium supplementation, activity to the extent possible and use of medication. It is evident that most of these women with MS have not been adequately informed about osteoporosis risk and prevention, though they have acquired accurate information from lay sources. Most of the women have some appropriate knowledge and to varying degrees they are able to translate their knowledge into action. However, risk reduction strategies are inconsistent among the women and there is evidence that osteoporosis and fracture risk reduction is not monitored by the women's health care professionals.

Repository Posting Date:

27-Oct-2011

Date of Publication:

27-Oct-2011

Conference Date:

2001

Conference Name:

ENRS 13th Annual Scientific Sessions

Conference Host:

Eastern Nursing Research Society

Conference Location:

Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Note:

This is an abstract-only submission. If the author has submitted a full-text item based on this abstract, you may find it by browsing the Virginia Henderson Global Nursing e-Repository by author. If author contact information is available in this abstract, please feel free to contact him or her with your queries regarding this submission. Alternatively, please contact the conference host, journal, or publisher (according to the circumstance) for further details regarding this item. If a citation is listed in this record, the item has been published and is available via open-access avenues or a journal/database subscription. Contact your library for assistance in obtaining the as-published article.

Full metadata record

DC Field

Value

Language

dc.type.category

Abstract

en_US

dc.type

Presentation

en_GB

dc.title

Beliefs, Perceptions And Practices Related To Osteoporosis Prevention Among Women With MS

Mobility limitations related to MS add to the risk for osteoporosis that occurs with the hormonal changes of mid-life. In turn, limitations associated with osteoporosis can add to those already imposed by MS. This preliminary study used a grounded theory qualitative strategy to assess the understanding among women with MS of their increased risk for osteoporosis, their knowledge about ways to reduce the risk for fracture, and their health promotion practices related to osteoporosis and fracture prevention. Twenty-seven volunteers were interviewed at home, and the open-ended interviews were transcribed and content analyzed. Validation of the analysis was provided by an external reviewer. In addition to the interviews, women completed a personal data form to gather demographic and illness-related information. Themes emerging from the analysis include: women's knowledge, lack of knowledge, sources of information, actions, and feelings of control. In most cases, health care providers have not discussed osteoporosis with the women, though several have experienced one or more fractures. Most of the women have acquired accurate information about risk factors, through such lay sources as magazines and television. Women who determined that they were at risk, based on information they acquired, took measures to inform their health care providers of their concern. Women varied in knowledge of osteoporosis, actions to prevent it, and belief that their own actions can enhance their long-term health. Often the women needed more specific knowledge. In regard to health behaviors related to the risk for osteoporosis and fracture, the women ranged from doing little or nothing to prevent the problem, to making changes which were in the right direction but not adequate, such as "increasing my yogurt," to addressing the issue fully and appropriately in terms of diet, calcium supplementation, activity to the extent possible and use of medication. It is evident that most of these women with MS have not been adequately informed about osteoporosis risk and prevention, though they have acquired accurate information from lay sources. Most of the women have some appropriate knowledge and to varying degrees they are able to translate their knowledge into action. However, risk reduction strategies are inconsistent among the women and there is evidence that osteoporosis and fracture risk reduction is not monitored by the women's health care professionals.

en_GB

dc.date.available

2011-10-27T11:13:52Z

-

dc.date.issued

2011-10-27

en_GB

dc.date.accessioned

2011-10-27T11:13:52Z

-

dc.conference.date

2001

en_US

dc.conference.name

ENRS 13th Annual Scientific Sessions

en_US

dc.conference.host

Eastern Nursing Research Society

en_US

dc.conference.location

Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

en_US

dc.description.note

This is an abstract-only submission. If the author has submitted a full-text item based on this abstract, you may find it by browsing the Virginia Henderson Global Nursing e-Repository by author. If author contact information is available in this abstract, please feel free to contact him or her with your queries regarding this submission. Alternatively, please contact the conference host, journal, or publisher (according to the circumstance) for further details regarding this item. If a citation is listed in this record, the item has been published and is available via open-access avenues or a journal/database subscription. Contact your library for assistance in obtaining the as-published article.

-

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